Got any good tips on building a 00 gauge model rail layout?

Question

Got any good tips on building a 00 gauge model rail layout?

Answer 1

look out for model rail fairs in your area,talk to the exibitors, i went to one at the harvey haddon stadium,nottingham,good day out.

Answer 2

Join a club first, learn from thier mistakes and expereince.

Answer 3

Depending on the size of your area, you can go with a large layout or one on a shelf.

Here's a link that might help:http://www.trains.com/mrr/

Since you said OO I'd think you're in the  British isles. Either way, you should be able to get some good references. I have one that's a shelf 24" deep by 14' long built into a corner. It offers a lot of switching opportunities. Start small, otherwise you'll have a table with some track and not much else. I built mine in vignettes, so it can be broken down for the next move.

Answer 4

Don't run O gauge trains on it

Answer 5

Get a regular subscription to 'Railway Modeller' or 'British Railway Modelling'. Most layouts featured will be 00 gauge.

Start small and build up from there.

Never build a layout you can't dismantle and take with you, unless you want to leave it behind when you move.

There is a vast range of models available, e.g. ready to run (rtr) from Hornby and Bachmann as well as smaller manufacturers, also a wide range of kits for locos, rolling stock, buildings, etc.

Check out the ads pages of the mags. for second-hand models, or go to one of the swapmeets advertised.

Join an enthusiasts' club.

Have fun, railway modelling is a great hobby.

Answer 6

Read as many books as possible before jumping in- eg The Model Railway Design Manual by CJ Freezer, First Steps in Railway Modelling, etc etc etc.  

Decide what trains you want to run on it- a 12 coach express looks silly on a layout only 6 feet long.  Decide what space is available and choose a type of layout (mainline, branchline, industrial) to fit sensibly what is available.  

Most of all, have fun!